A MISSIONARY VERSION OF
I Corinthians 13

Though I speak the language of the Thai, Kazakh, Uyghur and all the other unreached people groups of the world but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I can contextualize Biblical principles and fathom the diversity of all cultures, or if I have the gift of apostleship and can plant churches in Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, North Korea and other "restricted" countries but have not love, I am nothing.

If I have the faith that can heal the sick, raise the dead, and call down all the signs and wonders to accompany my ministry but have not love, my work has no eternal value.

If I sell all my property to finance mission work, and surrender my body to the Muslim extremists or the communists of Laos and China, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient. It is not easily frustrated when language is difficult to learn.

Love is kind. It feeds the starving children in Mongolia, rebuilds devastated communities in Sudan. It gives compassion to the prostitutes in Thailand. It offers friendship to the street children in Bacolod.

Love does not envy other missionaries or church planters who have more financial support, more successful projects, or who are in more responsive and comfortable places.

Love does not boast of its accomplishments or of the large numbers of converts or of the multiple ministries set up.

Love is not proud of its own tribe, culture, denomination, country, resources or successes.

Love is not rude, forcing its own opinions, methods or culture on others, but seeks to adjust in ways that are beneficial to all.

Love is not self-seeking, looking for promotion, recognition or a bigger salary.

Love is not easily angered with co-workers who are hard to get along with or superiors who are demanding. It is not offended when people reject the message.

Love keeps no record of the times support was delayed, harsh words were received or unrealistic expectations were demanded.

Love does not delight in the failures of other ministers but rejoices with every co-worker's success. Love bears all difficulties, believes even in impossible situations, hopes for the best and always perseveres through the worst.

Love never fails. Church planting movements, contextualizations, language learning, community helping and missions mobilizations will all come to an end. Only love remains. For the greatest of these is love.

Richel Maraat
He served as the Regional Manager of Asian Center for Missions-Western Visayas, Philippines (2001 to July 2009) until the Lord led their whole family to serve as missionaries to Mongolia in August 2009.

This write-up is taken from Rev Dave King's "Indescribable Grace: A 40-Day Reading" devotion. I met Dave recently when we did a DMin course in SBC in Nov 09.

Pastor